BOBBY Zamora is playing through the pain barrier to help keep QPR in the top-flight.

The former Fulham frontman has been plagued by injury problems this campaign, restricting him to just 10 Premier League starts.

Zamora has been dogged by a hip injury for months, while he suffered ankle ligament damage in the home defeat to Manchester United a fortnight ago, which boss Harry Redknapp feared would keep him out until mid-April.

However, the 32-year-old made a surprise return to the line-up in Saturday's victory over Sunderland.

And Redknapp revealed Zamora is putting his body on the line for QPR's cause.

“Bobby needs a hip operation,” said Redknapp. “He’s torn an ankle ligament and he’s played through that.

"At half-time we had to keep him on the move, he has to have some stuff put on his hip and if he sits down he seizes up.

“They had a hot water bottle on his hip and had to keep him stretching. He won’t be able to get into his car now after the game.

“He’s a strong character and he’s a proper boy. Believe you me you’d have him in your side. You can talk to Bobby about football, he’s a proper bloke. He’s good for the team. He talks to people and is a big influence in the dressing room.

“He travelled to Southampton with us last week because he wanted to be around the boys. You need people like that.”